The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and relevant links.

Sunlight Through Foggy Canopy

The photo above showing misty sunbeams penetrating a mature forest canopy was taken near Gahberg, Austria. These beams are simply local crepuscular rays, made visible by fog droplets, taken when the Sun was well above the horizon. The shadows between the bright rays result when branches and leaves effectively block sunlight. Note that unlike crepuscular rays seen at sunset caused by clouds on the horizon, the beams shown appear not to extend from the foreground into the distance as much since, at this small scale, perspective isn’t nearly as significant. Photo taken On October 22, 2011.